What is an SSN Trace?

SSN stands for Social Security Number.

Until 1986 usually, people applied for an SSN around the ages of 14 to 16 as this is a key number concerning a person’s identity and is linked to all of their banking and employment records.

Since 1986 most parents applied for SSNs to be issued from birth. This is because they are required for things like opening bank accounts for children and getting medical coverage (amongst other things). Please see this ssa.gov information on SSN for further details (opens in new tab).

An SSN is used for many things including:
– Opening Bank Accounts
– Passport Applications
– Driving Licences
– Applying for loans
– Signing-up for Medicare
– On Your Income Tax Return
And many other uses. It is one of the most vital personal records a US Citizen has.

An SSN Trace provides the name and address linked to an individual Social Security Number. This trace report also might also show where someone’s SSN was issued and if the number is valid or not.

Yes. To a limited degree.

The Social Security Number Verification Service is a free government service that provides SSN Verification (see below). This is a free check (for registered users to verify that the SSN given by someone matches their name and social security records. This is generally used by employers.

The link to the Social Security Number Verification Service is here.

There is also a fee-based government service called the Consent Based Social Security Number Verification (CBSV) service where you can upload very high volumes of SSNs and Names for verification. This might be used by companies to verify payroll lists, for example. The link to this service is here.

In addition to this, there are many other companies that provide SSN Trace services which also run background checks on individuals. Using the first 3 digits of a social security number will help People Finder websites ensure they trace the correct individuals as the first 3 digits of the SSN pertain to the state the number was issued in.

SSN Verification is the process of verifying a social security number as being correct as mentioned in reference to the government serviced in the previous points. (You can use our SSN Verification tool to do this here). A Trace uses part of the SSN to run a full check on someone.

Usually, you need the First Name, Last Name and first 3 digits of the SSN number.

You can use many online services for a small fee, including this website. If you go to the bottom of this page you will find a box where you can start an SSN trace.

An SSN Trace background check uses someone’s SSN number as part of a comprehensive public records search. You will not be able to see the full SSN, but this is used to identify and cross-check information about an individual so that you will receive a comprehensive report.

Because running an SSN Trace online is linked to so many different data points, you will have access to a complete personal profile of someone. This will include marriage, divorce, financial situation, criminal records data and much more. Essentially every single public record available about someone will be included. Data will include:

This will include:
– Marriage Records
– Divorce Records
– Birth Records
– Bankruptcy details
– Other contact details
– Criminal Records
– Tax Liens
– Arrest Records
– Business Data
– Felony Data
– Property Records
– Asset Records
– Judgments & Liens
– Current and Previous Addresses
– Cell Phone and Landline Numbers
– Details of Relatives
– Any Aliases used
– Email addresses

You can use any People Finder website. If you visit the bottom of this page, you will find a search box where you can run an SSN trace on anyone. You just need the SSN and First and Last name.

Yes, SSN Traces are frequently used for this purpose.

A credit reporting company is an integral part of an SSN Trace. An SSN Trace checks databases of banks, credit card companies, utility companies, and even schools for a name and SSN. 

SSN Traces are often used in the context of Criminal Background Checks, fraud and identity fraud (theft). For example, if an SSN has been used by multiple people?

It will also provide a list of a person’s previous names (which may include previous names or aliases).

And finally (but not by no means exclusively) an SSN Trace may cross-check locations a person linked to the SSN number has lived.

See Free Criminal Background Checks? and How to Run a Criminal Background Check with USATrace.com.